Originally posted by NHL on NBC (prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com)NHL on NBC Game of the Week 2011 scheduleWed Aug 25,2010 2:32 PM ET By Joe Yerdon

This is it. This is what you've been waiting for all summer long, you're first real warning signal that yes, hockey is back. Today the NHL released their national television schedule and part of that, of course, means sharing with you all what NBC will be covering this year.

This year, NBC is doing things a little differently and making it easier to build your schedule around. For the first time ever, the NHL Game of the Week on NBC will start at 12:30 pm ET and for the fourth year in a row, NBC will be making the use of "flex scheduling."

This means that 13 days ahead of time, we'll know just who will be playing in the NBC NHL Game of the Week. NBC's coverage of the NHL will kick off on New Year's Day with the 2011 Bridgestone Winter Classic from Heinz Field in Pittsburgh between the Capitals and the Penguins. But you knew that already. Which other games will be up for grabs? Buckle up because here we go.

One special day where things will be different coverage-wise will be February 20th, Hockey Day in America. On the 20th, NBC will be doing regional coverage of the games. This means, depending on where you live, you'll get to see the game that most affects your area. With four games dropping the puck at 12:30 PM ET, Hockey Day in America is going to go off with a bang. We'll have more details about NBC's hand in Hockey Day in America when they're released but holy cow what a day that's going to be.

For those of you keeping track (and I know you will) the teams break down this way for the maximum number of times they could appear on NBC's Game of the Week.

Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and N.Y. Rangers - 5 times

Detroit and Minnesota - 4 times

Washington, Buffalo, and New Jersey - 3 times

Boston, Dallas, Los Angeles , and Tampa Bay - 2 times

Atlanta, Florida, N.Y. Islanders, Columbus, and St. Louis - 1 time

While not all of these teams will get the chance to appear on NBC, this makes for an incredible cross-section of teams across the United States. While everyone will have New Year's Day circled on their calendar for the Winter Classic, February 20th becomes a must-see date for fans across the country as well.

Now, we all know this is all lip service and bullshit and NBC will ALWAYS "flex" into the same four teams they ALWAYS cover. But at least we'll get one Wild game for sure (on the "regional coverage" day - four times, ha ha, yeah right)...and again, no Sharks until deep into the playoffs. ;-)

One special day where things will be different coverage-wise will be February 20th, Hockey Day in America. On the 20th, NBC will be doing regional coverage of the games. This means, depending on where you live, you'll get to see the game that most affects your area. With four games dropping the puck at 12:30 PM ET, Hockey Day in America is going to go off with a bang. We'll have more details about NBC's hand in Hockey Day in America when they're released but holy cow what a day that's going to be.

I had to look it up, there was a game I was interested in that wasn't on the list..

The 2011 NHL Heritage Classic will pit the Montreal Canadiens against the Calgary Flames at McMahon Stadium in Calgary... Alberta, Canada! The game is scheduled for February 20, 2011 at 4:00PM MST. The contest will be televised in Canada on CBC (English) and RDS (French) while Versus is scheduled to telecast the game in the United States.

Originally posted by TheOldManCalgary? February? Starting around dusk? Really??

Versus? Really??

What, you expect NBC to run hockey in prime time? In a "sweeps" month??

(cue Seth & Amy)

It's hard to find an American hockey fan that will say even an occasional nice thing about NBC's coverage of the sport, but I can't think of a single one that doesn't hate Versus. Versus is like the Jay Mariotti of hockey broadcasting.

I'm excited to see Crosby play with "the winger for Crosby," but yiiiiiiiiikes. All that for an UFA. Maybe "all that" will never pan out. But this is jarring. They'd better re-sign him. What's Colorado doing?